Ulster Rugby is preparing for a challenging two-match series in South Africa, following their first victory of the season in the Challenge Cup against Zebre. The team, which has struggled in the United Rugby Championship (URC) thus far, is set to face the Bulls and the Stormers in a demanding trip that begins this Saturday.
Currently, Ulster is without a win in the URC after three rounds, having drawn two matches and lost one, placing them with an eight-point total. Head coach Richie Murphy faces mounting pressure as his squad travels to high-altitude Pretoria to take on the Bulls, who are in strong form this season. Following this match, they will make their way to Cape Town to clash with the Stormers.
While the recent bonus-point win over Zebre has boosted team morale, concerns linger regarding the fitness of internationals Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney, both of whom missed the game in Italy due to muscle injuries sustained in training. Their availability for the match at Loftus Versfeld is still uncertain. Additionally, Zac Ward’s status is in question after he sustained an ankle injury during the match against Zebre.
Locks Ben Donnell and Eli Snyman, along with Ethan McIlroy, were also absent last weekend and will undergo fitness assessments while in South Africa. The team’s prior experience in South Africa is a point of focus. Two years ago, Ulster suffered a heavy defeat against the Bulls, losing 47-21 in Pretoria.
Ulster forwards coach Clarke Dermody acknowledged the difficulties his team will face in South Africa. “They understand the challenge,” Dermody stated, noting that during a discussion with the squad, only a few players had not played in South Africa before. He emphasized the importance of sharing experiences and preparing mentally for the unique conditions of playing at altitude. Dermody added that they have established plans that the players will practice before the matches, underscoring the need for the team to adopt a strong mentality as they aim for a positive result.
